Power actuated elevating truck



July 4, 1950 A. H. GFRORER 2,513,718

POWER ACTUATED ELEVATING TRUCK Filed Dec. 6. 194e s sheets-'sheet 1 July 4, 1950 A. H. GFRORER POWER ACTUATED ELEVATING TRUCK 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 6, 1946 5 Sheens-SheeiI 5 .slr

July 4, 1950 A. H. GFRORER POWER ACTUATED ELEVATING TRUCK Filed Deo. 6, 1946 July 4, 1950 A. H. GFR

ORER 2,513,718

POWER ACTUATED ELEVATING TRUCK Filed Dec. 6, 1946 5 Sheets-Shea?I 4 Hbeadllafwowmg ylmzdwm XM uwneym July 4, 1950 A. H. GFRORER POWER ACTUATED ELEVATING TRUCK 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 6, 1946 1/ f a 5 4 7 \\4 w m o o O O n um 0 O lll||1.-| l l l l l l l I l l l l I l l l I l a 0 O 7 Q Q 7., au A WH o o n0 7 n@ 7 Q O /\7 a0 l A I A 7 o o ovmk a@ Ow @E s I o o o o v o o Patented July 4, `:1950

f UNITED lsrrrnias PATENT oFFlcE POWER ACTUATED ELEVATING TRUCK Albert H. Gfrorer, Bernardsville, N. J., assignor to Lewis-Shepard Company, Watertown, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application December 6, 1946, Serial No. 714,599

(Cl. ISU- 65) 17 Claims.

. 1 This invention relates to improvements in motor driven trucks and the principal object of the invention is to provide controlling mechanisms conveniently located with respect to the hand or hands of the operator when guiding or L otherwise manipulating the truck mechanisms which will enable him more efficiently to guide the truck and to control the operations thereof.

More specically the invention relates to improvements in elevating trucks having upwardly and downwardly movable load supporting means adapted to be introduced beneath a load-bearing skid or into a pallet with selectively operable controlling means located upon the steering mechanism within the range of a hand of the operator yto control the operation of the truck including the mechanism for raising and lowering the load supporting means.

In the operation of trucks of this character the loaded or unloaded truck is often required to pass through narrow aisles requiring abrupt turns to position the truck properly to loading and unloading positions and during the transportation of the load the truck is frequently required to travel over up and down inclined surfaces. The purpose of the present invention is to enable the operator with a minimum of eiort to control the driving of the truck as a desired speed, to position it properly into loading or unloading position and to enable the operator to control the raising and lowering of the load supporting means while grasping, or in a` position to grasp, the hand grip of the steering mechanism, thereby facilitating the full'operation of the truck and avoiding inconvenience in the manipulation of the truck and its load supporting means, which in usual power driven trucks requires separate operations of the steering mechanism' and the mechanism for controlling the f speed of the truck from that which operates the load supporting means. f

Another object of the invention is` to provide a power driven truck having a steering head rotatable about a verticalaxis provided with' a traction wheel and a reversible 'motor forf driving the traction wheel and a'base mounting upon the steering head and .having a tongue mounted on the steering head to'swing vertically, with hand-gripping means `at lthe end thereof, and switch mechanism mounted upon the end of the tongue in proximity tothe hand-gripping means operable by a' hand of the operator while grasping the hand-gripping means for controlling electric circuitsleading from :a suit/able source of power carried by the truck and thereby to regulate the speed of the motor while being steered in any direction. l

A further objectof theinvention is to provide switch mechanisms for the electric circuit of the driving m'otor and brake located in proximity to the hand-gripping means and'operable by the hand of the operator while grasping the gripping means to control the operation of the brake.

, Another object of the invention is to provide a power driven truck, having a vertically movable swinging tongue and upwardly movable load supporting means with an electrically operated pump and hydraulic lifting means operable thereby to raise Aand lower the load supporting means, with switch mechanism which is mounted upon the tongue in proximity to the hand-gripping means thereof 'for controlling the raising 'and lowering of the load supporting means, whereby theroperator while still grasping the hand-gripping means and applying the brake to the driving means can raise orlower the load supporting means, thus enabling the operator to maintain the truck in proper position during the loading or unloadingof a `skid or pallet bearing the load upon the load supportingmeans.

In brief the invention is designed to enable an operator of a power driven elevating truck fully to control the operation of the truck during the loading and unloading thereof and the manipulation of the truck during its transportation while in a position to guide the truck or maintain it stationary during the loading and unloadlng operation and irrespective of the position of the vertical swinging tongue, it being they purpose of the present invention to provide a construction in which all the controls are compactly assembled into switch mechanism at the end of the steering tongue 'as distinguished from prior power actuated trucks` which require special mechanism to control the steering of the truck, the application of power to the driving mechanism and/ or rthe brake mechanism, andy separate manually operable mechanisms for raising and lowering the load supporting'means which require the operator to divert his attention from the' steering tongue in order to operate the load vsupporting means. ,1

Another object of theinven'tion is to provide a mounting -for the steeringv head assembly which can be readily removed as aunit for service with a few minutes work.

Another object of. the invention is' to provide novel means for. mounting upon the truck a invention will more fully appear from the foly lowing description and the accompanying drawings and will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

Preferred embodiments kof the invention arey illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a power driven truck embodying the invention having load supporting means connected by parallel links to a 'main' frame with hydraulically operable means for moving the load supporting means upwardly vand downwardly in parallelism with the frame;

Fig. 2 is a front end elevation of the truck illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a pallet elevating truck having hydraulically operable lifting 4means forraising the load supporting means substantially vertically;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the switch mechanism mounted upon the end of the tongue having hand grips extending laterally therefrom and provided with lever mechanism for controlling the operation of the driving mechanism and including means for controlling the circuits to the mechanism for raising and lowering the load support,- ing means and circuit to a signaling device and a lock switch for controlling all the electric circuits;

Fig. 5 is a view of the switch construction illus.- trated in Fig. 4 in which the Yswitch cover and parts of the hand grips extending therefrom are removed to show articulated portions of the switch mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a detail view mainly in vertical median anism for controlling the speed of the truck and the brake therefor;

Fig. 7 is a detail transverse sectional view, mainly in vertical section, of the steering head, the traction wheel supporting the same and the motor and brake mechanism which is mounted upon the steering head;

The truck illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 coinprises a main frame having a pair or pairs of parallel side bars I, rear wheels 2 mounted upon an axle 3 extending transversely from the side bars I, or axles extending between pairs of parallel side bars for an open end truck as the case may be, a rigid framework forming a standard 4 preferably of welded fabricated construction and welded to and extending upwardly from front end portions of the respective side bars.

vThe framework 4 has welded to its upper end a forwardly extending thick rigid plate 5 having at its front end an upwardly extending boss or collar 5 welded thereto in which the cylindrical tubular section illustrating particularly the switch mechraising and lowering the load supporting means;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the several switch mechanisms and a terminal board which is mounted within the casing containing therelays and resistor; and,

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuits and the controlling mechanisms ltherefor, in which the upper portion .of the figure illustrates the power circuits for :actuating the driving motor and the lower portion the circuits which are controlled by the switch mechanism in the switch box'at the end ofthe tongue.

steering post 'I of the steering assembly is mounted to rotate about a vertical axis. The steering post 1 is provided with a lower flange 8 which engages the inner race 9 of a preferably conical roller bearing, the outer race ID of which desirably is seated in a counterbored recess in the under face of the plate 5. The yupper end .of the boss or ring 6 `isprovided with a counterbore in which is seated the lower race II-of a complementary roller bearing, .the upper race I2 of which is iixedly mounted upon a shouldered end portion of the steering post 1 and is releasably held in engagement therewith by a .nut I;3 which upon removal will enable the steering post assembly to be quickly detached as a unit for service.

The steering head 'I4 comprises a horizontal plate section I5 through which the lower end .of the steering post extends beyond and to which the flange 8 of the steering post is Welded. A Vertical plate section IS, which is integral with the plate section It, extends downwardly therefrom .and has mounted .upon ita motor and suitable power transmitting mechanism for driving the steering wheel.

The lower end portion of the plate I6 has an integral laterally extending cylindrical portion I1 forming a support for the steering and traction wheel I8 which surrounds kthe extension and pref,- erahly is kprovided with .a rubber lor other re silient tire I9, The aXlet20 .of the traction wheel is mounted in suitable antifriction bearings inter.- posedbetweenit and the respective end portions ofthe cylindrical extension Ii'l -.of the vertical plate It. VThe motor, preferably in the form of an yelectric motor 2l, ismounted upon one lside .of :the vertical :plateIS :and the motor shaft 22 extends `through an oil vseal '23 in the plate I 6 and is jour, naled in an antifriction bearing 24 in `the wall .of thehousing 25 which -is secured to the vertical plate I6. The means for driving the steering and traction wheel from the shaft 22 of the motor, as illustrated herein, comprises a train ofreduc.- ing gears of suitable dimensions. 'I he motor shaft 22 is provided atits .end with a brake .drum 2 6 .and brake shoes 21 Y.which lpartially surround diametrically opposite portions of the brake drum. The brake shoes are pivotally mounted upon studs 28 in upwardly extendingarms 29 of the housing 2,5. The brake shoes `are provided with complementary upwardlyextendi-ng arms :30 and an adjusting `bolt .orboltsl which extend .through the arms 3D provide assembly mountings for a spiralspring .32 which normally tends to spread apart the arms 3 0 and :to force the vbrake shoes into engagement. with `the .brake drum 2-6 and thereby brake the krotation of the motor shaft and its armature. The fact that the brake linings will wear in service` has beenrecognized and corn-V pensation for such wear canfbe readily accomplished by adjustment ofthe nuts upon :the bolt or bolts 3|. i

Electrically operable ymeans are provided for releasing the brake which, as illustrated herein, comprises apa-irof toggle links 33 the outer ends of which lare respectively connected by a pivot 34 and a vertical link 34x to the armature 350i a solenoid 36 which is mounted upon a. suitable bracket 36:1: which is adjustably secured to the housing to permit vertical positioning of the solenoid.

Inasmuch as more force is required to actuate the toggle to release the brake shoes from the brake drum than that which is necessary to cause the toggle when wholly or partially straightened to retain the brake shoes out of engagement with the brake drum during the driving of the truck, means are provided for reducing the electric current supplied to the solenoid. In the construction illustrated the armature of the solenoid extends through a slot in a horizontal arm 31 of an L- shaped lever and is provided with a member 38 i,

which overlies the slot and is adapted to engage the upper side of the lever arm 31. The other arm 39 of the L-shaped lever extends vertically downwardly and at its lower end engages and operates a switch 40 of a rheostat in the circuit for supplying electric current to the solenoid operable upon actuation of the solenoid first to supply heavy current thereto to cause the toggle to release the brake shoes from the brake drum and thereafter to reduce the currents consumed by the solenoid while holding the brake in released position during the driving of the truck and at the same time providing sufiicient current to hold the brake shoes out of engagement with the brake drum. Inasmuch as such solenoid controlling mechanism is well known no detail description thereof is necessary.

Suitable means are provided for rotating the steering head assembly about the vertical axis of the steering post to guide the truck with controlling means associated with the steering mechanism always conveniently within the reach of the operator for controlling the speed of the motor, the brake, the raising and lowering of the load supporting means and horn or other signaling mechanism as hereinafter described.

In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated herein a tubular steering tongue 4I is pivotally mounted at its lower end upon brackets 42 extending forwardly from the steering head and has secured to its upper end a sleeve 43 provided with a switch box -44 containing closely assembled mechanisms for controlling all of the operations of the truck. The switch box has laterally extending hand grips 45 upon one or both of which is mounted mechanism adapted. to -be actuated by the hand or hands of the operator while grasping a hand grip to position the switch mechanism in such manner as to control electric circuits for supplying currents to the motor which drives the steering and traction wheel and to the braking mechanism therefor, other switch mechanism being contained in the switch box readily accessible to the operator while grasping a hand grip for controlling the mechanism for raisingand lowering the load supporting means and the signaling mechanismwhen the tongue is in any position, thereby saving the time of the operator which would otherwise be consumed if he were required to move from one position to another to control or operate the respective mechanisms.

Means are provided for so balancing the tongue as to hold it stationary in any position to which it may be swung either in a horizontal or vertical direction.v l'I he tongue balancing `meansy com-t prises upper .and lowerv telescoping tubular membeers .46 and 41 pivoted at their respective ends upon brackets48 and 49 mounted respectively upon thetongue and thefvsteering head as shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 8. A spiral spring 50, which is enclosedjin 'the telescoping members 46 and 41, and connected respectively to pins Iextending through the brackets48 and 49, provides means for so balancing the tongue as to hold it stationary in any position to which it may be swung in a vertical arc, including the upright position shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 8. y

Upwardly and downwardly movable load supporting means are mounted upon the frame of the truck and hydraulically operable means is provided for raising and lowering the load supporting means. Typical vconstructions of the load supporting means vare illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 respectively. In the construction shown in Fig. 1

the load supporting means comprises parallel side bars 5i extending in parallelism with and in close proximity to the outer surface of the side bars I of the main frame, the side bars of the load-supporting means being adapted to be lowered so that their upper surfaces are substantially flush with the upper surfaces of the side bars of the main frame as is usual in elevating truck constructions. l i l, Vai! l In the construction shown in Fig. 1 parallel links 52 and 53 are pivotally connected at their upper and lower ends to the load 'supporting means and the main frame, the links 52 preferably being pivotally mounted upon the axle 3 of the rear Wheels 2. An hydraulic jack, or pair of jacks, is provided for raising and lowering the load supporting means and comprises a cylinder, or cylinders 54 which are preferably pivotally mounted upon the rear axle 3 of the truck and the piston rod 55 of the jack or jacks is pivotally connected to a cross girder or girders 56 of the load supporting means approximately midway of the length thereof.

\ Suitable means, preferably an electrically operated pump, is provided for supplying fluid under pressure to the hydraulic jack or jacks as will hereinafter more fully appear. It will be understood that the load supporting means illustrated in Fig. 1 may be in the form of a single rectangular skeletonized platform or an open-ended construction in which the side frames and load supporting means comprises two parallel constructions spaced apart throughout their effective length and connected at their front end by a suitable vertical plate or standard .51 forming a dash board to limit the distance forwardly upon which the load may be piled upon the load supporting means.

A modified form of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 3 as applied to a pallet truck in which the load supporting means comprises spaced pairs of parallel side frames 58 with a series of rollers 59 and 60 assembled in their rear ends and with a lever 6| pivotally mounted upon the side bars 58 between the rollers 59 and the rollers 60, the lever 6| being of generally triangular form and pivoted upon a suitable shaft 62 mounted in the side frames 58. The lever 6l has a downward extension 63 to which is adjustably connected a pull rod 64 the forward end of which is pivotally con-` nected near the lower apex of a triangular link 65 which is pivoted upon ashaft 56 in the supplementalstandard 61 mounted upon the side bars 58. The forward apex of the triangular lever 65 is pivotally connected by a shaft 68 to the front end of the load supporting means.l A vertii7 ce1. hydraulic' jack ktsl. ispivotally mounted at .its lower endV upodacr'oss girder 1U within the standard 6l and the piston 'Il ofthe hydraulic -jack is pivotally connected to a triangular lever 'l2 fulcrumed upon the shaft 13 in the standard 61. A link 14 connects the lever 12 to the upper corner of the lever 65.

Suitable means' are provided for supplying liquid under pressure tothe hydraulic jack pref- Y erably from a pump as will hereinafter be 'more fully described. When pressure Vis supplied to the pump its piston will be raised thereby raising the link 'I4 and swinging the link 65 about its fulcr'um EG thereby drawing the rod B forwardly and rocking the lever El around its fulczrumV E2. The lever 6I is provided at its lower end with a roller lfw'hich'as' the lever 5| is swung about its pivot 62. will be drawny forwardly thereby depressing'. the roller 'i5 and consequently raising the load supporting means to the position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. In each of the constructions hydraulic mechanisms are provided for raising and lowering `the load supporting l means and differ from 'each other mainly in the applicationof the invention vto usual v'forms of elevating trucks and pallet trucks, it being recognized that the different forms of parallelY link mechanisms for raising the load supporting means relatively to the main frame i's old in the art except for the mechanism for actuating the hydraulic lifting means. g

In each of the forms of trucks illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 a space is provided rearwardly of the vertical framework `l `and thel iront endV of the load supporting means to receive suitable storage batteries 76 which 'desirably but not necessarily may be enclosed' in a` suitable housing.

In each of these constructions the thick plate 5, which is mounted upon the upper endv of the framework 4, extends forward a sufcient distance to provide a space therebeneath in which the steering assembly may be rotated about its vertical` axis to any steeringr position without engaging the framework Il.

In each ofk these constructions an electric pump f unit and a motor for operating the same is mounted upon the rear. portion of the'thick plate 5 which is supported by the framework 4 and detachably connected by bolts-to the plate 5 -in such manner as to be .readily Iremoved therefrom. The pump unit 'll' comprises areservoir 'containing liquid, preferably oil,` the gear pump 18 driven `by an electric motor 78x, Aandv suitable valve mechahismfor controlling the supply of uid under` pressure 'through a 'flexible conduit 'I9 to the hydraulic jack 54 in the construction shown in Fig. l or to the vertical hydraulic jacks 69 shown in Fig. 3, as the'case may be;

Suitable valve mechanism, which preferably' is located within the pump unit, is provided for releasing the iluid pressure supplied to the 1respective jacks and such valve mechanism desirably is electrically controlled by a solenoid T93: which, as illustrated in Fig. 2, is located between the pump actuating motor'and the pump unit.

It is also desirable to'pr'Cil/"ide construction in which supplemental circuits for controlling` the power circuits and other electric circuits lead from the storage" battery through the respective switches- Wl'llcli are contained-in the casing 44 which is inOuntdfupoi-tlle Aend, of the .tongue and which will not be subjected-to undue iiexure dur'- ing' theV Steering 0f -the truck;

These desirable features are accomplished` in the present invention by providing suitable cables for heavy power currentsleading from the Storage battery through the.' tubular steering 'post to' the relays for controlling the current supplied to the-drivingmotor, andto the relays controllingl the power currents supplied respectively to the puln lntol and the electric circuit leading to a signaling device. f Y

kIrlA the construction "Shown a, Cabinet 8i), which is 'i'redly mounted upon the back plate of the steeringA head assembly, has 'a removable cover laid is provided with an upper shelf 82 and a lower shelf 83 upon whichl are mounted the relays 'for controlling the electric circuits hereinafter described andih the lower part of the cabinet is provided 'with a terminal board Bd having a lower bank of terminals `8'5fto certain of which the conductors leading from the battery are detachably 'connected and from which the respective power currents lead through the relays Vto other termina-ls in the lower bank and thence respectively to the -rnotor which drives the-traction wheel', the brake Vcontrolling solenoid,-and the pump which actuates the hydraulic vlifting mechanism. The terminal hoardv Bd is also provided with an upper bank of tenininal's t6 to certain of which smaller conductorsy for controlling currents leading from the storage 'battery are respectively `connected with circuits leading therefrom to the respective relays and thence to other terminals inthe upper bank and froi'n the latter Ythro'ugl'l the-tongue tothe switch mechanisms which are mounted lupon the ends of the tongues. A suitable resistor ill in one of the circuits for the power current which operates the' driving motor is mounted in thel lower compartment, fas illustrated in Fig. S. An auxillary resistol-Afeo'rnhionly known asan antiplugginlg resistor is" also mounted in the lower lnptmeht.

The purpose' of the 'terminal board thus equipped is to enablefeach 'of the conductors 'for the several circuits to be made in sections which can be conveniently assembledwand removed for replacement lifnec'essary. While in the ccns'truction villustrated in 'the drawings the relays areshowfn as being mounted uponA shelves in the cabinet they as well as the panel board, may obviousl'ylbe suitably' secured to one of the walls of the cabinet.

morder to avoid twistingor undue fissure of the cables leadingfrointhe storage battery yto the termiiials ol? the 'terminal boards, fthe cables containing lcond'uf'ztorsfor the power current lead from the storage battery le to diametri-cally oppsitely positioned 't'ifnilafls- B8 suitably mounted 'upon insulating plate-39 supported by a bracket ei'ithdlg uDV'l/'ly lOm-l the plate 5 andhavlng -an aperture 'therethrough in alinerneht with the tubular passage through the steering post; icablesfcontaining conductorsjfoming extensions of the power cables lead froml the terminals '8B 'downwardly through the steering post to the respective terminals of the panel board. The supplemental cables containing the r'Cn'dllcl'ft51's"fior lille controlling Circuits also lead from the storage battery to similar terminals 90 on the insulating plate 89 preferably positioned at right angles to the terminals 88 and therefrom downwardly through the tubular steering post to the upper bank of terminals of the terminal board. By reason of this construction the steering head may be rotated about the vertical axis of the steering post in any steering position without harmful ilexing or twisting of the cables.

The positions of the several relays upon the upper shelf, which are graphically illustrated in Fig. 9, comprise a relay for the brake circuit which is indicated by the letters BR, the relay which controls the main circuit of the driving motor which is indicated by the letter M, the relay Ifor shunting the resistance in the power circuit supplied to the driving motor for controlling the speed of the truck which is indicated by the letter |-A, and the connection of the circuit which leads to the horn by the letter H.

The relays upon the lower shelf of the cabinet are indicated respectively by the letters FI, Rl, F2, R2, the relays FI, RI, and F2, R2, being respectively interconnected in such :manner that the current leading to the relays FI, F2, can alone ybe operated when the driving motor isI rotated in a, direction to cause the truck to move forwardly and the relays RI, R2, operated only when the driving motor is rotated in a'direction to cause the truck to move rearwardly.

The preferred form of switch mechanism embodying the present invention, which is illustrated in detail in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, as contained in the switch box 44, comprises a key lock switch 9| in the supply to all the electric -circuits which pass through the switch box including control switch for brake solenoid operating coil, and, through reversing switch 92, the control coils of the relays for causing the driving motor selectively to rotate the traction wheel in a direction to drive the truck forwardly or in the reverse direction to drive the truck rearwardly, a preferably push button switch 93 for lcontrolling the relay for the circuit which actuates the pump motor to cause the hydraulic jack to lift ythe load supporting means, a preferably push button switch 94 which controls an electric circuit to a solenoid which actuates a relief valve to release iiuid from the lifting jack motor to permit the load supporting means to descend; and a push button switch 95 in the circuit leading to the horn or other signaling device.

The switch box also contains suitable switch mechanism operable after the key switch 9| is closed by the hand of the operator and while grasping al hand grip, to control the supplemental circuits leading to the respective relays which control the supply of power currents to the brake solenoid and the motor which `drives the traction wheel. These comprise three switches A B and C which as shown are mounted upon a suitable support 96 whichv is mounted upon a plate 91 iixedly secured to the wall of the switch box 44' by bolts 98. The switches are interposed respectively in the controlling circuits leading from the battery to the relays which control the brake solenoid circuit, and the directional circuits, the driving motor circuit leading through the resistor in the power circuit for actuating the driving motor at low speed, and a. shunt circuit for cutting out the resistor to drive the truck at full speed. These switches as shown in Figs. and 6 comprise resilient arms 99, |00, and |0| having respectively'at their free ends suitable means, such as rollers adapted respectivelyto be engaged by cams |02, |03, |04, carried by va. bracket |05 which is mounted upon an arm |00 of a lever which is fulcrumed upon a stud |01 projecting from the plate 91.

lConductors lead from the switches A, `B and C, to the respective relays which control `the brake releasing solenoid and those which control the current supplied to the driving motor. The other arm |08 of the lever, which is flat, extends outwardly from the switch box into a slot |09vin the hand grip 4'5. The upper edge of the arm |08 is provided with a relatively wide preferably rounded iiange 0 adapted to lbe engaged by the hand of the operator ,fwhen grasping the hand grip 45. A spiral spring which is interposed between the bottom of the slot |09 `and the ilange ||0, normally raises the arm |08 and holds the cams |02, |03, |04' out of elfective engagement with the resilient switch members 99, |00, |0I.

Desirably similar lever mechanism for Aactuating the switches extends into the diametrically opposite hand grip in order that the said switches may be actuated by either hand of the operator, To accomplish this purpose the ,end of the lever arm |06 is provided with suitable means such as gear teeth l2 which engage complementary gear teeth ||3 upon the end of the inner arm I4 of a complementary lever which is fulcrumed upon a stud ||5 extending from the plate 91, the other arm ||6 of the lever extending outwardly into a slot ||1 in the other hand grip 45m.

By reason of this construction the operator may by depressing either arm |08, or IIB, of the respective levers, cause the actuation of the cams controlling the switch mechanisms in thel circuits which supply power to the driving motor, thereby enabling the operator to control the speed of the truck by the gripping movement olf either hand. The cams |02, |03, and |04, are of arcuate form, the cam |02 being of suicient length when engaged with the roller of the switch arm 9'9 to complete the relay circuit which controls the power circuit to the brake releasing solenoid 36, thereby to release the brake and to maintain the circuit complete and the brake released so long as the lever |08 continues to be depressed. This operation of the camV |02 also conditions the circuits to the relays which control the power circuits from the battery to the reversible motor which drives the traction wheel.

Further depression of the lever |00 causes the relatively short cam |03 to engage the roller upon the switch arm |00 of the controlling circuit of the relay for thepower circuit to ,the motor, which contains the resistor, 81, and which drives the traction wheel at a slow speed.

`Still further depressionof the lever |08 causes the cam |04 to complete-a shunt circuit aroundy the resistor 81 to supply `afull power current tol the reversible motor to drive the traction wheel at high speed.

Upon successive release of pressure by theop-f erator on the lever ||0 reverse operation takes place, the speed of the traction wheel being successively reduced and when pressure is fully released separation' of the cam |02 from the switch arm 99 and application of the brake by the spring 32 as heretofore described. f

Inasmuch as the lever ||6 in 'the otherl handv grip 45x is interengaged within the switch box with the adjacent end ofthe lever |08 by' the` gearsl I3 and l2, gripping pressure of lthehan'd4v of the operator on the lever IIS will similarly operate the switches which control the drivin of the traction wheel.

Diagrammatic illustration of the electric circuits for the power currents and controlling currents 'therefor containing the switches in the switch box and the coils of the relays are shown in Fig. in which the upper section of the diagram illustrates the powercircuits and the lower portion thereof illustrates the controlling circuits and switches therefor.

For convenience in describing the operation of the mechanisms the following nomenclature iis used in Fig. 10.

A-Control switch for brake contacter and directional contactors. l

B--Control switch for auxiliary resistor and main contacter.

C-Control switch for accelerating contactor.

.S2-Directional toggle switch.

93-Lifting control switch for pump contactor.

SII-Lowering control switch for solenoid valve contactor.

95--Horn -control switch.

M-Main contactor.

I A-Accelerating contactor.

AA-Purnp contactor for hydraulic lift.

V-Solenoid valve contactor for hydraulic release.

BR--Brake contactor.

KS-Key switch.

FI-FZ-Forward contactors.

RI-RZ-Reverse contactors,

it being understood that the contactors FI-FZ and RI-R2 are .respectively mechanically interlocked, so that when the forward contactors FI-F2 are actuated the reverse contactors RI-RZ are inoperative and conversely when the reverse contactors RI-RZ are actuated the forward contactors FI-KFZ will be inoperative.

The controlling circuits are all supplied through akey switch which is closed only when the truck is in service, this being designated as KS.

Operation of thebrake releasing mechanism and control of the two speeds (low'and high) of the traction wheel are effected through the group of three switches A, B and C.

Their operation is as follows:

Initial compression of the lever, I 03 or IIwby the grip of the hand of the operator mechanically closes the switch A thereby energizing the coil of the brake contacter BR, thus releasing the brake. Closing of Switch A also closes the-circuit H9 which )for the moment is shunted around auxiliary resistor 81A through normally closed switch B -to reversing switch 92 in the switch box M on the end ofthe steering tongue and the operating coils of the forward FI-FZ or reverse RI-RZ contactors in the armature circuit Vof the traction motor, forcompletion of themotor circuit thereafter by theyclo'sing of the main contactor M. When switch B is openedY to break the shunt around auxiliary resistor 81A, the current in circuit I I9 mustthen iiow through the auxiliary resistor 81A. This current is insufficient to cause-the initial closing of contactors FI-FZ or RI-RZ, but is sufficient to maintain vthem closedy which was accomplished bythe greater current that ilowed'through the shunt I2IA.

Further depression'of the'lever vIll or IIB by the grip ofthe operator vbeyond that required to close the energizing contactor A shifts switch B to breakthe shunt in circuit H9l and closev circuit IISB thereby to -close the main contactor M to complete the power circuit -I20 and thereby to start the traction rmotor and ydrive kthe traction wheel at a slow speed in the direction designated by the setting of the reverse switch 92. Contactor IA is still open and current flows through resistor 8l.

The auxiliary anti-plugging resistor 81A serves two functions, rst, it prevents'the reversal of the traction motor if the directional control toggle switch 92 is changed in position while the truck is'in either low or high speed. In eitherof the latter two positions the control switch Bhas'been operated to open the shunt in circuit IIS so that the anti-plugging resistor is in series with the operating coils FI---FZ or RI-R2. Movement of the toggle switch 92 from forward to reverse or vice versa inomentarily breaks the circuit permitting the previously energized contactors to open. The current is limited however by the anti-plugging resistor 81A to a value at which the other contactor will not pick up. Accordingly, the circuit to the traction motor is disconnected and the traction motor cannot loe started without rst releasing the lever |08 to completely cut oi position or to an initial position with the energizing contactor only closed. This anti-plugging feature has the following advantages:

a--It protectsthe traction motor from high transient currents which might otherwise occur:

b-It protects the truck itself from mechanical stresses which might result from rapid change in direction;

c-it also protects the load against too sudden deceleration or acceleration;

d.-A further function of the anti-plugging resistor is to limt the rate of acceleraton through passing too rapidly through the slow speed position. Unless a slight hesitation is permitted following theclosing of switch A the shunt around the anti-plugging resistor is removed before the contacter FI-F2 or RI-RZ has had time to close and yaccordingly the truck will not start. In other words, switch B should not be actuated until the directional contactors have had time to close.

Still further movement of the lever I08 by the grip of the operator closes the accelerating control sfwitch C' thereby energizing operating coil of contacter IA to shunt the auxiliary low speed and starting resistor 81 and Icompleting the circuit to drive the traction motor at high speed. The other control circuitsinclude the following:

A simple push-button type of switch 93 in the switch 'box which serves to energize the operating coil of the contacter AA (see Fig. 2) to complete the power circuit to the ypump actuating motor for raising the load supporting means;

A simple push-buttonr switch S4 which operates the solenoid type of hydraulic valve V (see Fig. 2) for releasing the fluid under pressure supplied to the hydraulic jack to permit .the descent of the load supporting means;

A push-button switch for completing the circuit to the horn or other signaling device.

Themechanisms as above and as heretofore described are located on the truck as follows:

The battery, pump motor unit for raising the load supporting means and the lowering valve V for releasing fluid ypressure from the hydraulic jack are mounted on the frame; the traction motor, braking mechanism including the brake solenoid, the resistors and the relays are mounted upon the steering Wheel assembly; the key switch miams and all controlling switches in the switch box ulpon the free end of the steering tongue vand the hand grip extending horizontally therefrom'.

Assuming that the truck is stationary and the load supporting means in lowered position, the operator rst places the key in the switch 9IKS (which preferably is the pin locking type ofV .the well known Yale lock) thenfturns the lock to permit the flow of the controlling currents through the respective switches. The operator then depresses the arm III), or IIS, iirstcausing the cacm IIJ2 to engage the resilient switch arm 99 to actuate control switch A.v This completes the controlling ycircuit II8 to BR (brake'contactor) causing the latter to complete thepower circuit I l8r through the brake actuating solenoid to release the brake, and also energizes circuit I I9, through which current passes by way of circuit I2IA, Awhich through the normally closed contact olf control switch B shunts auxiliary resistor 87A, to Icircuit II9A, land toggle selector switch 92, and directional contacter FI--FZ or R--R2. The closing of either of the latter contactors (as selected by position of toggle switch 92) conditions the power circuit I29, through resistor 81, the armature and the series eld of the traction motor.

Further depression of the arm III) or III causes the cam I 03 to engage the resilient switch arm to actuate control switch B, thereby opening circuit I2IA shunting auxiliary yresistor 81A, and completing circuit II9B tothe operatinlg coil of main contactor M. Closing of main contacter M completes the power circuit through the driving motor to propel the truck in low speed in accordance with the setting of the reversing switch 92.

Further depression of lever arms IIU or IIB will cause cam |04 to engage resilient switch' aum IOI to actuate control switchC, engaging "IA (accelerating contactor), therebyl to complete a shunt circuit I2I around the resistor'l and cause the motor to run at full voltage and` consequently drive the truck at a maximum speed.

Conversely the operator may, by progressively releasing the pressure upon the lever I I0, or I I6, break the shunt circuit to reduce the speed at which the truck is driven and upon full release of pressure release the energizing contactor and the brake release BR thereby permitting the spring 32 (Fig. 8) to clamp the brake shoes 21 upon the brake drum and arrest the forward or rearward movement olf the truck as the case may be.

By reason of the construction above described the manipulation of thetruck can be controlled by the operator when the tongue is in any steering position or in any pcsitionto which it may be swung horizontally or in any position to which it may be swung vertically including vertical position, the tongue being held in any such position by the counterbalancing spring 59.

In the usual operation of elevatingtrucks the truck is steered rearwardly to insertits load supporting means beneath a skid or a palletupon which the load is mounted. In order to raise the load supporting means the operator kis "required to release his hands from engagement with the tongue and move to a different position in which he can manipulate a lever or other means for actuating mechanism for elevating or lowering the load supportingmeans.

In the present invention the switch mechanism in the switch box, which is mounted yupon the end of the tongue, comprises means lnot only forI controlling the transportation of the truck, but also for controlling the raising and lowering of the truck so that the operator without moving from the position in which he stands can raise the load supporting means to load the truck or lower it to deposit the load. It also enables the operator while transporting the truckl to avoid engagement of a high load with the top of a low doorway or other obstruction or if for any reason the truck should acquire an unreasonable speed while passing down a steep ramp the load can be instantly lowered to cause the legs of the skid to engage the ramp and break the speed of the truck.

The raising of the load supporting means is accomplished by depressing the push button 93 to complete a controlling circuit leading through the conductor I22 which is detachably connected to a terminal in the terminal panel and therefrom to a suitable reday AA (Fig. 2) which may be mounted upon the pump actuating motor 18x and thereby cause the completion of the' power circuit 'I23 to the series field of the pump actuating motor 18:1.` thereby to supply fluid under pressure to the hydraulic jacks` 54 Fig. 1, or to the jacks 69 Fig. 3, as the case may be.

When it is desired to lower the load the operator will press the push button 94 in the switch 'box 44 thereby completing a'controlling circuit I24 through a conductor which is detachably connected to aterminal of theterminal board and therefrom to the solenoid 19x, for actuating the valve which is designated as V (solenoid valve).

The switch box 44 is also provided with a push button 95 which when pressed will complete a similar circuit through the conductor which is detachably connected to the terminal board and from said board to a horn H or other signaling device which may be located at any convenient place upon the truck.

vByvreason of the present invention all the operations of the truck mechanisms are always under the control of the operator while still grasping erin a position to grasp the gripping Iriernbersoif4 the tongue thereby greatly reducing the efforts imposed upon the operator in loading and unloading the truck and transportingthe truck and also enabling vloads to be m'ore rapidly moved from one position to another.

It will be understood that the particular embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are of an illustrative character and that various modifications in construction and arrangement of parts may be made within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Having thus described theinvention, what is claimed `as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

. y1. A v power driven truck having a main frame, a battery mounted thereon, a reversible electric motor.and means `operable thereby to drive the truck, a normally applied' brake therefor and electrically operable brake releasing mechanism, asteering wheel assembly comprising a steering head having a vertical tubular steering post journaled-centrally in the front jportion of said frame, and a tubular steeringtongue mounted on. said` head to swing vertically having on its free end a switch box and hand grips extending horizontally from said tongue, conductors for power currents extending from the battery through the tubular steering post to the brake releasing means and tothe reversible motor including means therein to cause the motor to drive the truck at a low or high speed, said conductors being-connected to relays mounted on'thesteering head assembly, and controlling circuitsfrom the relays through the tubular steering tongue, switches in said switch box for the respective relay controlling circuits including a reversing switch. selectively operable by the operator when the steering tongue-is'in any vertical or horizontal position to controlvthe voperation of the respective relay controlling circuits.

2. A power driven truck as defined in claim 1, in which the tubular steering post isdetachably connected to the main frame and in which the conductors for the power currents andthe-relay controlling currents are detachably connected to their respective relays, whereby the steering head assembly can be readily removed Lfor repair or replacement.

3. A power drivenftruck having a main frame provided at its front end with a Vertical standard having a forward extension, a battery mountedon saidmain frame, a vsteering wheel assembly having a head provided witha vertical tubular steering post journaled centrally in-said extension, said head having mounted upon .it Ya vertically movable tubular steering tongue having at its free end a switch box providedwith horizontally extending hand grips, a reversible elecy tric motor, means operable thereby to drive the traction wheel, normally applied braking mechanism therefor. and velectrically operating .brakereleasing means; conductors for power currents respectively extending from the battery through the tubular steering post tothe brake releasing mechanism and to the reversible motor .for driving the traction wheel at a low or highspeed having therein relays mounted on the steering head assembly, conductors for relay controlling currents extending from the battery through the tubular steering post to the respective relays and from the relays through the tubular steering tongue, switches in said switch box `for the respective relay controlling currents including a reversing switch selectively operable by the operator while grasping a hand grip when the tongue is in any vertical or horizontal position to control the operation .of the respective relay controlling circuits.

4. A power driven truck having a wheel-supported steering head rotatable about a vertical axis, an electric motor and an electrically operable brake therefor mounted on said steering head and means operable by said motor'to drive the steering wheel, .a source `of electricity mounted on said truck, electric circuits therefrom leading to said motor, and brake1 a steering tongue pivotally mounted on said steering head to swing vertically, a switch box mounted upon the end of said tongue having laterally extending hand grips, switch mechanisms mounted in said switch box for controlling said electric circuits including a reversible switch to cause the motor selectively to rotate the steering wheels in a direction to drive thetruck forwardly or in the reverse direction, a lever pivotally mounted in one of said hand grips, and switches in said switch box operable by depressing said lever by the grip of theoperator rst to cause the release of the brakemechanism and thereafter to control the'speed of the steering Wheel actuating motor.

Y the steering wheel, a source o f electricity mount- 5,. A ,power driven truck having a Wheelrsupported steering head rotatable about a vertical ed onsaid truck, elect-ric circuits therefrom leading to said motor and brake, a steering tongue pivotally mounted on said steering head to swing vertically, a switch box mounted upon the end of said tongue having laterally extending hand grips, switch mechanisms mounted in said switch box for controlling said electric circuits including a'reversible switch to cause the motor selectively to rotate the steering wheels in a direction to drive the truck forwardly or in the reverse direction, levers pivotally mounted in the respective hand grips flexibly interconnected at their inner ends and switches in said switch box operable by depressing either of the levers by ,the grip of the operator rst to cause the release of the brake mechanism and thereafter to control the speed of the steering wheel actuating motor. v

6. A power driven truck having a main frame provided at its front end with a vertical standardrhaving a forward extension, a steering head assembly comprising a. vertical tubular steering post rotatably and detachably mounted in said extension and provided with a traction wheel andan electrically operable motor yfor driving it, and a vertically movable swinging tongue, a storage battery mounted on said main frame, electric conductors respectively for transmitting power currents to said'motor and for controlling circuits for the respective power currents extending from said battery through Said tubular steering post, detachable terminal connections for the respective conductors mounted on said steering head assembly, conductors leading respectively from said terminal connections to the motor, switch mechanism mounted on the end of said tongue and conductors forsaid controlling currents extending from said terminals through the tubular tongue to said switch mechanism, whereby by detaching the steering postA and the respective conductors for the power currents and the conductors for the controlling currents from said terminals the steeringassembly can be removed as a unit for service or replacement.

7. A power driven truck having a main frame provided at its front end with a vertical standard having a forward extension, a steering head assembly comprising a vertical tubular steering post projecting through said extension and having an externally screw threaded end, a nut mounted on said screw threaded end, said steel'- ing head assembly having a traction Wheel and an electrically operable motor for driving it, an electricallyoperable brake for said motor, and a vertically movable swinging tongue, a storage battery mounted on said main frame, electric conductors respectively for transmitting power currents to saidmotor and for controlling circuits for said 'power currents extending from said battery through said tubular steering post, detachable terminal connections for the respective conductors mounted on said steering head assembly, conductors leading respectively from said terminal connections to the motor and brake, switch mechanism mounted on the end of said tongue and conductors for said controlling currents extending from said terminals through the tubular tongue to said switch mechanism, whereby by removing the nut upon the steering DOst and detaching said terminals the steeringassembly may be removed as a unit for service orfreplacement. v

y8. A power driven truck having a main frame provided at its front end with a vertical standard navingaiorward extension, .a .steering head assembly comprising a vertical tubular steering post rotatably and detachably mounted in said extension and provided with a traction wheel and an electrically operable motor for driving it, and a vertically movable swinging tongue, a storage battery mounted on said main frame, electric conductors respectively for transmitting power currents to said motor and for controlling circuits for the respective power currents extending from said battery through said tubular steering post, a

casing secured to and forming part of said steering assembly having vmountedgthereon relays for the respective controlling 1circuits, a terminal panel having a series of upper and lower banks of pairs of terminalsfor the respective power circuits, the terminalsy of the upper bank being detachably connected to the controlling circuits, relays mounted on said casing being respectively connected to one of the terminals of each pair and conductors from the relays connected to the other terminal of such pair, and conductors detachably connected to the respective pairs of terminals leading therefrom through the tubular tongue to switch mechanism mounted thereon, whereby by detaching the steering post and the respective conductors for the power currents and the conductors for the controlling currents leading from said terminals the steering assembly can be removed as a unit for service or replacement.

9. A power driven truck having a main frame, a source of electric current carried by said frame, a steering wheel assembly comprising a steering head having a vertical, oscillatable, tubular connection with said frame, an electric motor and means operable thereby to drive the truck carried by said steering head, continuous electrical conductors extending through said tubular connection for transmitting electric current from said source of electric current to said motor, said conductors fixed at least at one point with respect to said frame and at least at one point with respect to said steering head, said conductors having suicient flexibility to twist whatever degree is required upon oscillation of said steering head, a steering tongue mounted on said steering head to swing vertically and having thereon switches, auxiliary conductors extending from said rst named conductors along said steering tongue to said switches, actuation of the said switches setting up circuits in said auxiliary conductors for controlling the operation of said motor.

10. A power driven truck having a main frame, a source of electric current carried by said frame, a steering wheel assembly comprising a steering head having a vertical, oscillatable, tubular connection with said frame, an electric motor and means operable thereby to drive the truck carried by said steering head, electrically operated load lifting and lowering means on the main frame, continuous electrical conductors extending through said tubular connection for transmitting electric current from said source of electric current to said motor and from said source of electric current to said electrically operated load lifting and lowering means, said conductors xed at least at one point with respect to said frame and at least at one point with respect to said steering head, said conductors having sufficient flexibility to twist whatever degree is required upon oscillation of said steering head, a steering tongue mounted on said steering head to swing vertically and having thereon switches, auxiliary conductors extending from said i'lrst named conductors along said steering tongue to said switches, actuation of the said switches setincluding contactors for opening and closing the circuits from the source of electric current to the motor, the operation of said contactors being controlled by the said actuation ofthe switches carried by the steering tongue. l

12. A power driven truck as dened in claim 11 iny which the said contactors are mounted on the steering head.

13. A power driven truck as deiined in claim l0 including contactors for opening and closing the circuits from the source ofelectriccurrent to the motor and'from'thefsource'of electric current to said electrically operated load lifting and lowering means, the operation of said contactors being controlled by the said actuation of the switches carried by the steering tongue.

14. A power driven truck as defined in claim 9 and including in addition a normally applied brake for said electric motor and electrical operable brake releasing mechanism controlled by a switch on said steering tongue.

15. A power driven truck having a main frame, a battery mounted thereon, a steering wheel assembly comprising a steering head having a vertical, tubular steering post journaled centrally in the front portion of said frame and a reversible electric motor and means operable thereby to drive the truck and a normally applied brake therefor and electrically operable brake releasing mechanism, a tubular steering tongue mounted on said head to swing vertically, conductors for power currents extending from the battery through the tubular Steering post to the brake releasing means and to the reversible motor, means for causing the motor to drive the truck at low and high speed, relays mounted on the steering head assembly and connected to controlling conductors extending from the relays through the tubular steering tongue, and switches, including a reversing switch, on the free end of said tongue, said switches selectively operable by the operator when the steering tongue is in any vertical or horizontal position to control the operation of the respective relay controlling conductors.

16. A power driven truck having a main frame, a battery mounted thereon, electrically operated load lifting and lowering means on the said main frame, a steering wheel assembly comprising a steering head having a vertical tubular steering post liournaled centrally in the front portion of said frame and a reversible electric motor and means operable thereby to drivel the truck and a normally applied brake therefor and electrically operable brake releasing mechanism, a tubular steering tongue mounted on said head to swing vertically, conductors for power currents extending from the battery through the tubular steering post to the said electrically operated load lifting and lowering means and to the reversible motor and to the brake releasing means, means for causing the motor to drive the truck at low and. high Speed, relays mounted on the steering head assembly and connected to controlling conductors extending from the relays through the tubular steering tongue, and switches, including a reversing switch, on the free end of said tongue, said switches selectively operable by the operator when the steering tongue is in any vertical or horirespective yrelay controlling'-fcunductorsf:l

wheel" assembly -that''includes Va 'steering 'head anda steering whee1"driVen"byan electric motor"y and .to which assembly said'V 'tongue' is'piytallyil aiixed for the purpose of. guiding said ,-assemblyf and providing a carrier-for controlling-.meansfor said motor., said tongueehavingia `.laterally eX- tending grip With an arm extending1 ,fro'mf Athe z, side of said grip and generally parallelzto-the.:

long dimension of l saidfgrip, isaid. armibeing movable by f thev handy ofl f the 'operatorf inwardly ofv 15: saidgripga plurality-:off,controlling:membersv cars` l ried byrsaid tongue andvmeansz.olgerablerby-:imv

ward-movement of .said armz for. vcausing, sequenf Y tial operationof :said controlling members. i

ALBERT I-I. GFRORER. f

REFERENCES .CITED The-.following references are of record inthe lef of" this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

